September 8, 2015

Young Communist candidates demanding fundamental change

7 members of the Young Communist League of Canada are currently running in the federal election. Here RY looks at these candidates for the Communist Party of Canada who are demanding fundamental change.

Adrien Welsh – Outremont, Québec

A student activist for free education,
Adrien Welsh grew up in the riding of Outremont . He studied linguistics in
Montreal and Paris and as chair of the YCL-LJC’s International Commission, has
taken part in several anti-imperialist conferences and brigades in Europe,
Latin America and the Middle-East. Adrien has denounced NATO policies in favor
of peace and better future for the youth.

Marianne Breton Fontaine grew up in the
riding. She is a student movement militant and studies Law. She is campaigning
for the creation of jobs, full equality for women and opposes all forms of
racism and discrimination. "Let's end wage disparity, legislating for full
pay equity and employment." she said. Marianne has been a leader of the
YCL-LJC and the LJC-Quebec for several years.

“The Harper agenda of war, environmental
crisis and austerity is being felt especially sharply by students. Eliminate
tuition fees, raise federal minimum wage to a living wage of $20/hr, and fight
for full employment,” Drew says. A writer and activist, he is the leader of the
Young Communist League which fights for a future for youth, and for socialism.

An author, artist, and the organizer of
Toronto’s Young Communist League, Mariam became politically active in youth
organizations struggling for LGBTI* equality rights. “Victories against racism,
sexism, transphobia, and homophobia mean progress for all. Young people are a
force for the radical change Canada needs,” Mariam says.

Tristan Dineen is a student activist and
community-radio host, where he is a voice for peace and disarmament and for
democratic rights. “We need to immediately repeal Bill C-51, abolish CSIS, ban
police racial profiling and protect and expand the right to dissent” Tristan
says. Tristan is a member of the Guelph Young Communist League.

Tyson Strandlund grew up in the riding and is
Métis, supporting Indigenous sovereignty. Currently studying history at the
University of Victoria, he is the organizer of the local Young Communist League
and active in the student movement. Tyson is calling for an end to shale gas
fracking, phasing out the Tar Sands and stopping Northern Gateway and other
pipeline development. “Put the energy industry under public control! System
change, not climate change!”, says Tyson.

Brent Jantzen is a longshoreman and
secretary of the Young Communist League in Vancouver. Chair of the YCL-LJC's Labour commission, he has been active
fighting for a higher minimum wage and is outspoken for solidarity with
Palestine. “It is time for jobs -- not bombs,” he says. “People and nature
before profits!”